Hi guys!
With Thanksgiving behind us and most of
the country
cold
Hopeexperiencing
this finds you
all weather (including
the
first
round
of
spitting
snow
even here in the
well! As usual, we’ve been
deep
south),
ourlots
thoughts
working
hard on
of great naturally gravitate
toward
the
religious
and cultural celebrations
things for our CHPA members.
surrounding
Christmas,
Hanukkah,
and other
We had Quad-A last month
and
year-end
activities
it was a huge
success.that
We I hope cause us to
contemplate
the
larger
currents
welcomed many new membersin our lives.
Having
recently
marched in the Veterans Day Parade, I recall a
(THANK
YOU!)
and visited
situation
that
has
become
standard during those events: some veteran will
with lots of current members.
step
outthere,
of the
crowd
lining the street, approach our band of helicopter
While
CHPA
was
pilots,
and
extend
a
hand
recognized by the Texas of thanks to us for pulling him out of hell. With
tear
lined Guard
eyes setfor
in our
a serious face, he will say something like, “You guys
National
saved
my
life.
Thank
you.” Such throat-lumping moments occur every
contributions and support.
year
during
theto parade,
a quiet exchange of massive import between
Special
thanks
Mrs. Christine
knowing
veterans.
Gilbreath who has been
Just to
lastwork
weekend
I attended a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts
wonderful
with and
during
which
a
quiet
man
thanks to COL MacGregor with
and a cane winced in pain as he shifted his
weight
uncomfortably,
then
the TX NG for taking the timeoffered his hand to me across the table.
“Thanks
for pulling
my ass
to say thanks!
On behalf
ofout of andvery bad situation,” he said intensely,st
even
though
he
served
with
the 82 Airborne while my hat sported a 1
CHPA, I can say it was a true
Cav
pin above my wings. I received a similar emotion from a biking
honor!
buddy in which he e-mailed the appreciation and high esteem he and his
grunt buddies
us. working
We’vefelt
alsofor
been
My
point
in
recounting
to finalize the agenda for our all this is simply that as we each approach
the
celebration
chosen year-end religious rituals and surrounding
Annual
Meetingofinour
New
lay
festivities,
I
urge
you
to think more deeply about the generous legacy
Orleans. One of my friends,
combat
helicopter
pilots
Mrs. Theresa
Wright,
has and crews have made possible for so many
veterans,
and
continue
to to
do so today. Think about the parents, wives,
generously taken the time
husbands,
andarticle
grand-children that have or will have the
assemble anchildren,
informative
opportunity
for
a
meaningful
life thanks to some faceless helicopter pilot
on must-see locations and
&
crew
performing
a
long-forgotten
mission during extreme moments of a
interesting things to do in New
long,
hot LTC
day or
cold night halfway across the globe. Those
Orleans.
andfreezing
Mrs. Wright
missions
we
flew,
sometimes
boring, perhaps stressful, always dirty, and
have generously offered to meet
upon
us foroccasion
a leaders’fueled
reconby
inadrenaline, were paramount moments of extreme
crisis
in
the
lives
of
so
many
August, after I get back fromwe never knew, moments forever seared into
the
minds
ofshould
those have
who even
walk the earth today because we did not turn
Haiti,
so we
down
the
mission
in
favor
more good ideas on thingsoftoour personal safety.
season
I urge you to think of the many veterans who
do. BeDuring
sure to this
make
your hotel
are
alive
to
watch
their
kids
and grand-kids, nephews and nieces, parents
reservation now! The deadline
for getting the CHPA special
rate is August 23!

Volume 5, Issue 12

CHPA • The Swash Plate

www.chpa-us.org

and spouses as they celebrate their preferred holidays with personal traditions. Then consider the role
combat helicopter pilots and crew members have played and will continue to play in this tableau for as
long as helicopters remain the backbone of combat ground operations worldwide.
This is our legacy. We have every right to be proud of our contributions, large and small, and to
nurture the legacy we earned through hard training, selflessness, separation from loved ones, and blood.
This is a large part of what CHPA is all about. Never ever forget.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and good health to you all.

Submit Your Photos!
CHPA has a growing collection of
photos, from flight school class
pictures to action photos to
helicopter shots from around the
world …
If you would like to contribute to
the collection please
click here to upload!

The Swash!

[Got a story to share?]

We hope you enjoy your newsletter! We work to find articles of interest for our very diverse membership,
ranging from human interest to humor and wonderful war stories of helicopter pilots’ and crewmembers’ daring
do. Our most entertaining and informative stories come from you, our membership but I know there are more
stores waiting to be told. The story can be about anything from flight school to real life, TINS, or there-I-was
stories. We’ve published several stories over the years ranging from tales of flight school a long, long time ago
to real life “war stories” that we’re sure most of you can identify with.
We look forward to hearing from you so, take a moment to lay fingers on keyboard or just put pen to paper
and send in those stories. You can email them to HQ@chpa-us.org or through the US Post Office to:
CHPA • PO Box 15852 • Washington, DC 20003

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Welcome Buzz Covington
Ed Note: Buzz Covington is the newest member of the CHPA Board of Directors. Please
join us in welcoming him aboard.

J.R. "Buzz" Covington joined the US Navy in March of 1987, and
began his military career as both an Aviation Electronics Technician and an
Electronic Warfare Operator. In the eight years he served in the Navy he flew
aboard reconnaissance aircraft such as the A3 Skywarrior, the EP-3 Aries and
the ES-3 Shadow while performing his duties. In this role, Buzz took part in
operations gathering intelligence against adversaries around the world, and
took part in the Bosnian conflict, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and many other
undisclosed operations.
Buzz transferred to the US Army in 1995 and began his career as a Warrant Officer at Fort Rucker,
Alabama. After completing the scout/recon track and graduating flight school, he was chosen to attend
the AH-64 Apache AQC, as well as the ASE-EWO course. Upon completion, Buzz's first duty station was
2/6th Cavalry at Stork Barracks in Illesheim, Germany. Highlights of this tour included becoming a pilot
in command, flying in support of Task Force Hawk in Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo, and a successful
deployment to Poland for Victory Strike One. Although a junior Warrant Officer, Buzz distinguished
himself early on as the Squadron's ASE-EWO, and Tactical Operations Officer before departing Germany
in the spring of 2001.
During a brief assignment to Fort Rucker, Buzz graduated the AH-64D Longbow Apache AQC,
and the Longbow instructor pilot course. His next duty location would be 1/4th Aviation, where he
served as both an instructor pilot, as well as the Battalion Tactical Operations officer. Highlights of this
duty assignment included going through the Army's Unit Field Training Program (UFTP) and most
importantly, deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom One, from 2003 to 2004. During
this deployment, Buzz accumulated over 850 combat hours and suffered a catastrophic failure of his
helicopter which would later lead to a complete reconstruction of his lower back.
Buzz's next assignment was to the prestigious 21st Cavalry Brigade as the brigade Tactical
Operations officer, where his contributions to Army Aviation would continue to have a lasting impact on
training and mentoring of unit aviators that were attending UFTP, as well as a host of other endeavors. A
unique achievement during his tenure was to become one of only two active duty pilots in the Army to
qualify as a UAV operator from the front seat of the Longbow Apache. The lessons learned from this
advanced technology demonstration have paved the way for future capabilities in Army aircraft that are
now maturing into reality.
Buzz's present (and final) assignment is at 4/227th ARB, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. Buzz recently
returned from another year-long deployment to Iraq, and is now serving as the battalion Tac-Ops officer
and performing duties as an instructor pilot.
Buzz is three classes away from completing his degree in Homeland Security with a focus on
Counter Terrorism with American Military University. Outside of work, interests include photography
(www.CovingtonPhoto.com), playing with the family's English Bulldogs Ellie and Loki, and supporting
the career of his wife, Major Darcy Saint-Amant. Buzz also stays busy participating in various charitable
and fraternal organizations such as the association of Old Crows, Quad-A, The Knights of Columbus, and
Veterans of Foreign wars, and of course, the Combat Helicopters Pilots Association.
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Still Christmas Shopping?
Christmas is now just a few days away. I know there are some of you that
have reached a point where you’re wondering where to get that final gift to round
things out. Or you may be like me and a practiced procrastinator when it comes
to Christmas Shopping. In either case there are some items in the CHPA online
store, http://www.chpa-us.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=70598&orgId=chpa, that
could well be exactly what you’re looking for.
The long sleeve shirts are available in black or
khaki and we anticipate, once warmer weather
returns, having the oxford shirts available in short
sleeve as well. Both color shirts have the CHPA logo
on the left chest area and feature a shirt pocket and
button down collars. We have a great selection of all
sizes available now.
The jackets are available only in black and are
from Charles River apparel. The jacket is light weight
with a nylon lining and water resistant microfiber shell
and a generous storm flap over the zipper to keep the
wind out. Again, we have a great supply of sizes
ranging from small to 3XL on hand.
Shop now and you’ll have your items in time for Christmas.

A Call to Service
Hey You!! Yeah, you!
Are you a pilot member in good standing? Have you been a member of
CHPA for at least three years, not necessarily consecutively? Do you have a
small amount of spare time to devote to promoting the legacy and preserving
the history of the combat helicopter pilot and crew?
If so, I have an opportunity for you. There are currently a couple of vacant
seats on the CHPA Board of Directors.
The requirements are easy, there is only one teleconference meeting each
month, the phone call is free and right now the schedule is the second Sunday
in each month.
So give consideration to actively supporting your
organization by serving on the Board of Directors. If you have any questions
give our HQ a call at 800•832•5144 or drop them an email at hq@chpaus.org. Information on the requirements is available in the by-laws available
online at the CHPA website. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Mid-Air Catch
Robert Frost

Those of us who flew helicopters in combat over the skies of Vietnam
(and other places in Southeast Asia) have our share of “war stories”. And, I
am almost positive each of us has stories that fall into the “humorous and
lucky” category. I have such a story that occurred early in my tour as a brand
new “Peter Pilot”. After arriving in country I was assigned to the 195 th
Assault Helicopter Company based out of Plantation. I don’t remember the
unit we were supporting the day of this particular mission, but we were
operating in the area around Xuan Loc.
We had inserted and picked up several recon teams that day out of a
firebase. My aircraft commander that day was a combat experienced CW2
with only a couple of months left in country. I remember him as a fine,
levelheaded pilot who really wanted to teach and help the new guys. It was getting later in the day and I
remember a field grade officer (I believe he was a major or light colonel) wanted to go up one more time to
plan for the next day’s insertions. We climbed into the H model once more; fired it up and took off with
the ground commander in the back of the aircraft with his map. As I recall we were flying around above
the jungle high enough that we felt we were out of small arms range. We were being directed to fly here
and there. This went on for several minutes and then the unthinkable happened. The map blew out of the
aircraft. The commander was screaming obscenities. Apparently, there was considerable information of a
secret and sensitive nature on that map. It would be bad for our troops and the mission if it fell into
enemy hands. Sure enough, we did a quick 180 with the aircraft and could see the map falling very slowly
out of the sky with nothing but jungle below us.
By this time, the CW2 had taken the controls and reassured the commander to sit back and enjoy
the ride. He slowed the aircraft considerably, still maintaining translational lift and aimed the nose for the
map that seemed to be floating in the sky. We made a pass at the map in the hopes of snagging it on the
nose or skid of the aircraft. We did not want to be going too fast when we intercepted it for fear of tearing
the map into pieces. As I recall we made close to a half dozen passes before we snagged the map on the
skid cross member on the left side of the aircraft. The crew chief climbed out on the skid and retrieved the
map. By that time, we were running out of altitude and were only a few feet above the jungle canopy. I
don’t think we would have had enough altitude to make another pass at snagging the map. Well, the
ground commander was ecstatic and relieved. We had saved his “bacon”. That day ended with all of us
safely back at Plantation Air Field telling “war stories” and consuming adult beverages.
This CW2 was always cool under pressure and I felt grateful on the days I was assigned to fly with
him. For the life of me I wish I could remember his name. Who knows, maybe he will read this story and
let us know he is still with us.

Tell Your Friends About CHPA!

Share the Swash!

We sure appreciate those of you who
continue to tell your friends about CHPA!
Click here to tell some more!

Please feel free to forward this issue
of “The Swash Plate” to your
colleagues, potential members, and
other interested parties!

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Volume 5, Issue 12

CHPA • The Swash Plate

www.chpa-us.org

CSI-Iraq
Shawn Miller

A small blood trail led through the desert from the
wrecked minivan to a small home as Iraqi Police working
with Iraqi Army soldiers probed the scene, collecting
evidence for their upcoming case.
Civilian-contracted
US
law
enforcement
professionals from the 11th Military Police Joint
Expeditionary Forensics Facility 4 at Contingency
Operating Base Speicher carefully constructed a crime
scene, December 4th, in order to teach Iraqi and US forces
Iraqi Police LT Muntasar Sami Nada, center, and 1LT Asaad Kadir
to properly investigate and collect evidence.
bag evidence while Iraqi Army MAJ Anas
"This is the very first time we have trained Iraqis Muhammad,
Muhammad, 4th Iraqi Army Division, looks over a rifle found at a
and US forces together," said Spencer Frazee, a law simulated crime scene at Contingency Operating Base Speicher,
Iraq, December 4th.
Iraqi students learned crime scene
enforcement professional with the JEFF4.
investigation techniques alongside their US counterparts.
A small group of soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, Photo/SSG Shawn Miller.
27th Infantry Regiment, "Wolfhounds," 2nd Advise and
Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, participated in the class with their IP and IA counterparts.
As Operation New Dawn approaches the 100-day mark, the US soldiers, who work with their Iraqi
partners daily, took a step back, allowing the Iraqis to take the lead in the classroom, as IA and IP forces
transition to independent control of operations across US Division-North and Iraq.
“Our role was to facilitate the training,” said SSG Alex Shackleford, Company B, 1st Bn., 27th Inf.
Regt. “We advised them in the classroom and then assisted them on the range.”
As part of the security agreement between the US and Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces have control of all
crime scenes, unless American personnel are involved in the incident, Frazee said.
Having the ISF leading the class mirrors that standard, he explained. Recognizing what classifies
as evidence, and then documenting, collecting and processing that evidence without contaminating it is
the key focus of the course, said Frazee, a veteran detective from Manchester, CT, with 25 years of
experience.
After a day of classroom instruction, the students were tasked with processing and collecting
evidence from the minivan and house during the second day of the course.
To add to the realism of the training, Wolfhound soldiers provided security and assistance as the
four Iraqi students methodically worked their way through the area.
“We went over what to do, what not to do and how to gather evidence,” he added, as he and the
other American soldiers oversaw the process.
Beyond simply looking for clues and gathering evidence, the process itself from beginning to end is
important, Frazee noted.
Getting the investigating agents to wear gloves and not contaminate the scene with their own DNA
is vital, he said.
“DNA is still magic to them,” said Frazee, noting how it is on the verge of court acceptance in
Iraq. “We’ve actually done classes for judges.”
US law enforcement professionals and Army Judge Advocate General officials are training Iraqi
judges and lawyers on the importance of DNA and forensics in hopes that it might build stronger cases
against detainees, Frazee explained.
“What we’re trying to do is have the police
catch up,” he said. “We’re trying to eliminate those
Concluded on Page 7
reasons for throwing a case out.”
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Despite the new knowledge of DNA and forensics, the Iraqi forces still must rely on US facilities to
process their findings since Salah ad-Din lacks any Iraqi-run labs, explained Frazee.
The classes taught at the JEFF4 and the partnership with the US soldiers will set up the Iraqis with
skills necessary to continue on their own, he said.
“Basically, what we’re teaching them is what can be done; the right way for things to be done and
what should be done,” Frazee said. “Now it’s up to them to put pressure on their government to supply
them with a lab in Salah ad-Din.”

Got Patches?
CHPA is building quite a collection of patches
from our members for display at our venues at
HAI, Quad A, and VHPA. Several of our
members have given us patches, including
those shown here which we put on display
.
when we set up our booth. If you have any
patches you’d like to share send them to us at:
CHPA • PO Box 15852 • Washington, DC 20003

Robert N. Tredway Award
Now is the time to get your nominations in for this prestigious award. The requirements
for nomination can be found on your website at www.chpa-us.org. Announcement of
the selection will be made in the July issue of The Swash Plate.
The WT

Annual Meeting Update
The ground work for the 2011 Annual Meeting is well underway with Rick Roll capably leading
the way. Rick has already set the headquarters hotel as the Hampton Inn in Enterprise, AL. Rick also is
working with the Fort Rucker Command to roll out the red carpet complete with tours of such training
facilities as the simulators and dunker training site. The visit to Mother Rucker is shaping up to be a
memorable occasion so start making plans to join us in October, 2011 for another great party.
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CHPA • The Swash Plate

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Flood Relief in Pakistan
US military aircraft supporting Pakistan's
flood relief efforts achieved a significant
milestone Monday, November 29th, providing
humanitarian airlift for more than 40,000 flood
victims since August 5th, when US military relief
flight operations in Pakistan began.
"This
new
milestone
represents
tremendous teamwork between Pakistan and US
flood relief workers. Thanks to the amazing
An American military helicopter and its joint US - Pakistan crew prepare to embark
dozens of flood victims from the Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,
partnership and support we've experienced from
Pakistan, during a mid-November humanitarian airlift mission.
the Pakistan military and organizations like
USAID and the World Food Program, we've been able to alleviate flood-related hardships for many
people in isolated, flood-torn communities of northern and southern Pakistan," said BG Michael Nagata,
Deputy US Defense Representative to Pakistan.
There are currently 18 US military helicopters and approximately 350 service members conducting
airlift missions. The Government of Pakistan set November 30th as the final date for the US military's
humanitarian airlift mission, as the focus shifts to sustainable recovery efforts led by civilian agencies.
"While our presence is changing, US support continues and will remain strong," said General
Nagata. In addition to humanitarian airlift, the US Government is providing more than $571 million to
assist Pakistan with relief and recovery efforts for flood victims.